Bethie wrote:We were just trying to decide between a trek in England vs. Ireland vs. Scotland.

The Pembrokeshire Path (part of Wales Coastal Path) is amazing. Depending on your aims, you might want to consider it. These pics are all within about 1 mile of each other, and you cross these huge cliffs and deserted beaches. Pretty sweet place, near Castlemartin. Google Green Arch, too.

Over the past 8 years I've been fortunate to visit some cool places, each delivering a life-list adventure, but if I had to pick the most spectacular of my travels, it would have to be Norway. I was there once in 2004, and once in 2009, visiting different areas of the stunning country. Lofoton is a magical place, with alpine mountains emerging from the seas. And having the midnight sun above the arctic circle is magical too (and lets you hike all night)!

Also, Patagonia, Iceland, NZ, and Scotland all rocked too, but Noway is WAY under the adventure radar. I think they like to keep it a secret!The key for me has been finding places with: high/low latitudes (lots of summer sun), fjords, glaciers (ok, not in Scotland), and sheep. Amazing adventure will find you in these settings.

Thanks for the response!! We've been to Patagonia & it did rock!! Norway is on our list in 3 years for when my husband turns 50. Looked at your trip report & pictures from Norway - WOW!!!! One last question about Scotland, which guidebook did you use? We're gonna hike the West Highland Way 1 week then tour around the other week. I was looking at getting the Frommer's book but was just wondering what you used. Thanks again!!

I used the Lonely Planet Islands and Highlands of Scotland for our trip. Didn't hike the West Highland Way, so not sure how useful it is for that segment, though there is a section on it. This book wasn't quite as useful as most Lonely Planet books I've used, but I didn't see any other books that looked great either. The best resource is http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/, which is unbelievable comprehensive for hiking in Scotland.

Was interesting to learn that falconry was an important art, as the birds were useful for catching prey (small birds, rabbits), and people would eat what the birds left. In return people would care for the birds and help flush out prey in their direction. This system worked well until the mid 1700s when gun precision got good enough to shoot birds in the sky. Then all of a sudden, people were shooting falcons for food instead, and a delicate art was lost, in addition to a dramatic loss in falcon population.